Helping individuals in therapy navigate their journey through grief and bereavement following a premature death can be both challenging and emotionally difficult. When the death of a loved one is sudden, traumatic, or violent, the survivor’s worldview can be severely altered. They may question things they once thought to be true and have little knowledge of how trauma can impact the bereavement process. Attempting to address these issues in therapy can leave clinicians feeling therapeutically stuck.



In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Jessica Hutchison, LCPC, will detail specific interventions to assist the newly bereaved with making sense out of what appears to be a senseless death. Jessica will also identify how this type of grief and bereavement is different than what is often experienced after a natural or expected death. 



Jessica will explain why past therapeutic efforts for counseling detachment to control thoughts and emotions in those experiencing grief, mourning, and bereavement are not as effective as once thought. She will detail how treatment interventions work best when they are tailored to the individual and are appropriate for where they are on their grief journey. Lastly, Jessica will provide practical tips for helping individuals in therapy cope with bouts of acute grief that may be triggered by events such as holidays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. 



This intermediate instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:




  1. Describe the differences between bereavement following a natural or expected death and bereavement following a sudden, traumatic, or violent death.

  2. Explain why the five stages of grief theory is no longer relevant for mourners.

  3. Identify how trauma impacts grief and the bereavement process.

  4. Develop a deeper understanding of why detachment is not effective for assisting the newly bereaved. 

  5. Apply effective interventions that address acute grief that is often triggered by holidays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. 



If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference or would like more information, please contact us here.


How the Web Conference Works

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email from GoodTherapy.org with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable. 



To attend the event, registered attendees will log in to the web conference center using a computer or device (smartphone or tablet with internet access) and calling in to the teleconference line on a phone. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via their computer or device. Attendees who are logged in to the event center will be able to see live streaming video and/or document sharing. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions. 



At the conclusion of this event, participants will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate in the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area. To confirm attendance, participants must enter the start and end codes announced at the beginning and end of the live presentation. Participants will also be prompted to complete an online survey evaluating the event. Participants will need to complete this online survey within six days after the event. Once completed, participants will be able to download a copy of their CE certificate instantly. 



For additional information about this event or our CE grievance procedures, please contact us here.


Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

Event Reviews from Members

Meet the Presenter

Jessica Hutchison, LCPC

Jessica L. Hutchison is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified family trauma professional specializing in grief and loss therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Her desire to assist those who are grieving and her dedication to educating current and future clinicians on the topic of complicated grief was heightened after losing her father to suicide in 2011. 

Jessica co-founded www.oursideofsuicide.com, a site dedicated to offering hope, comfort, and support to survivors of a suicide loss. She also speaks publicly to groups and the media about her personal experience with loss and has developed a number of continuing education programs on the topic of sudden, traumatic, and violent loss to educate clinicians on how the grief process can differ from that of a natural or expected loss.

Jessica consults with clinicians around the country through her website, www.jlhutchison.com. She is in private practice in Chicago, Illinois.